Deflashing apparatus

Abstract

A deflashing apparatus includes a positioning device which positions a blade at a predetermined position of a molded article, a moving unit mounted to the positioning device for moving the blade along a parting line of the molded article, a pressing device mounted to the moving unit for guiding the moving unit linearly toward and away from the molded article and biasing the moving unit toward the molded article to bring the blade into contact with the molded article at a predetermined force, and a supporting device which supports and moves the molded article with respect to the blade.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for deflashing a molded article having a parting line, comprising: 
 a blade;    a positioning device which positions the blade at a predetermined position of the molded article;    a moving unit mounted to the positioning device, the moving unit moving the blade along the parting line of the molded article;    a pressing device mounted to the moving unit, the pressing device guiding the moving unit linearly toward and away from the molded article and biasing the moving unit toward the molded article to bring the blade into contact with the molded article at a predetermined force; and    a supporting device which supports and moves the molded article with respect to the blade.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises a single-edged blade and a double-edged blade.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the moving unit selectively moves the blade along the parting line in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pressing device comprises a guide and a hydraulic cylinder, wherein a hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic cylinder is detected to feedback control the hydraulic cylinder in such a way that the hydraulic pressure is within a predetermined value range.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the hydraulic pressure is changed using a program prepared in accordance with a shape of the molded article, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is controlled to correct therein the hydraulic pressure by a difference between the changed hydraulic pressure and the detected hydraulic pressure.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supporting device comprises a vertically movable and rotatable one-axis numerically controlled (NC) rotary table.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the molded article has a circular portion, wherein the supporting device rotates the molded article about a center of the circular portion to carry out relative movement of the blade.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration device mounted to the moving unit for providing vibration to the blade.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the vibration device comprises a pair of parallel links and a vibration unit interposed between the parallel links.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the vibration is carried out in one of directions parallel to and crossing a direction of travel of the blade.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the vibration unit comprises an electromagnetic vibrator, a pneumatic vibrator, and an ultrasonic vibrator.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a turning device mounted to the moving unit for turning the blade in a direction of travel of the blade.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a heating device for heating the blade and a supporter arranged adjacent to the supporting device for supporting the flash from below.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for deflashing a molded article having a parting line and a coating layer, comprising: 
 a blade;    a positioning device which positions the blade at a predetermined position of the molded article;    a moving unit mounted to the positioning device, the moving unit moving the blade along the parting line of the molded article;    a pressing device mounted to the moving unit, the pressing device guiding the moving unit linearly toward and away from the molded article and biasing the moving unit toward the molded article to bring the blade into contact with the molded article at a predetermined force; and    a supporting device which supports and moves the molded article with respect to the blade,    whereby the coating layer is simultaneously finished along the parting line.    
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for deflashing a molded article having a parting line, comprising: 
 a blade,    means for positioning the blade at a predetermined position of the molded article;    means mounted to the positioning means for moving the blade along the parting line of the molded article;    means mounted to the moving means for guiding linearly the moving means toward and away from the molded article and biasing the moving means toward the molded article to bring the blade into contact with the molded article at a predetermined force; and    means for supporting and moving the molded article with respect to the blade.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for deflashing a molded steering wheel body having a parting line and a rim portion including at least one spoke portion protruding from the rim portion, the rim portion having outer and inner peripheries, the apparatus comprising: 
 a blade;    a positioning device which positions the blade at a predetermined position of the steering wheel body;    a moving unit mounted to the positioning device, the moving unit moving the blade along the parting line of the steering wheel body;    a pressing device mounted to the moving unit, the pressing device guiding the moving unit linearly toward and away from the steering wheel body and biasing the moving unit toward the steering wheel body to being the blade into contact with the steering wheel body at a predetermined force;    a supporting device which supports and moves the steering wheel body with respect to the blade; and    an electronic control unit (ECU) which controls the positioning device and the supporting device, the ECU being programmed to move the blade along the inner periphery of the rim portion, the blade being subjected to motions from a first position on the inner periphery of the rim portion to a head of the at least one spoke portion on one side, and then from a second position on the inner periphery of the rim portion to the head of the at least one spoke portion on another side.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the motions of the blade are carried out in an overlapped way.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , the inner periphery of the rim portion being divided into a plurality of areas by the at least one spoke portion, wherein the motions of the blade are carried out in each of the plurality of areas.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the motions of the blade are carried out along 1) the outer periphery of the rim portion, 2) the inner periphery of the rim portion in the first area, 3) the at least one spoke portion in the first area, 4) the inner periphery of the rim portion in the second area and, 5) the at least one spoke portion in the second area.